Sport

Robins ready for big kick-off

BRIDGWATER Town manager Richard Fey is “looking forward” to getting the new season underway this weekend as the Robins take on promotion favourites Bashley at Fairfax Park on Saturday.

Fey has been encouraged by a number of impressive displays from his side during pre-season - which they rounded off with a 1-1 draw at Afan Lido on Saturday - and hopes his players can take their strong form into the opening weekend of the league season.

He said: “I'm really looking forward to Saturday and testing ourselves against a big club like Bashley, who are looking to return to the premier division at the first attempt.

“We have had them watched and know a bit about them and they have signed some good, proven players for this league.

“We are giving debut to a lot of new local players like Matt Hurley, Dave O'Hare, Ben John and James Byrne - as well as Ollie Chamberlain returning to his hometown club.

“We have had a good pre-season and only lost the once in six, to Bristol City, and have got through it without any injuries, which is what a manager wants this time of season.

“It has been well documented that the club is struggling with finances and we're still hoping someone out there will come forward to help us as a club, but I wasn't surprised to see us joint favourites for relegation with the bookies. “That only spurs me and my players on to prove the bookies wrong, just like we did last season.

“We are expecting and hoping for a big crowd and this season it is even more important for the supporters to come out in their numbers and get behind these local lads and make some noise, just like they did last season when we were on a good run.”

A goal from new signing Dave O'Hare secured a hard-earn draw for Town at Afan Lido on Saturday.